The man many wanted to topple McCain kisses politics goodbye

U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon, R-Ariz., at a Mesa town hall in 2013 spoke about defunding the Affordable Healthcare Act, raising the eligibility age for Social Security and other conservative initiatives.(Photo: Charlie Leight, Charlie Leight/The Republic)

U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon, a conservative firebrand whose political career has spanned 25 years, announced Thursday he will retire from Congress.

The Mesa Republican, in an exclusive interview with The Arizona Republic, delivered a second bombshell: He will endorse Arizona Senate President Andy Biggs to replace him and chair Biggs' campaign for the 5th District.

A Harley Davidson motorcycle buff who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, Salmon, 58, said he is leaving Congress to spend more time with his family. For the first time in years, his four children and seven grandchildren are living in Arizona, he said.

Salmon said he sought office to oppose President Barack Obama's "devastating economic platform." But that administration is ending.

An immigration hardliner, Salmon was part of the House opposition that derailed comprehensive immigration reform legislation McCain worked on and helped usher through the Senate in 2013. Immigration activists at the time showed up at Salmon's town halls, sharing stories of family deportations.

Salmon responded with compassion, talking with them after the events, but stuck to his position that border security would need to come first and that there should be no pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.

In recent years, Salmon's top priorities were reforming Social Security and promoting a hawkish foreign policy, as a Foreign Affairs Committee member.

Endorses Arizona senate president as his successor

Salmon praised Biggs as a fellow conservative.

"I couldn't be more pleased that Andy has decided to run for my seat and continue the fight to return our nation to the values that made it great," Salmon said in a written statement to The Republic. "I've known Andy and his family for more than two decades, and his character is one of integrity and devotion."

Biggs said he would focus his campaign on smaller government, securing the border and veterans issues.

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U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon has decided not to run again, citing the need for more family time. Here are some highlights from his second stint in Congress, which began in 2013. Photo by Cheryl Evans/The Republic

IMMIGRATION REFORM: Salmon prominently opposed the Gang of Eight’s comprehensive immigration reform bill in 2013. He met with multiple groups that hoped to change his mind, but in the end, he remained steadfast in his opposition to offering undocumented immigrants a path to citizenship. Photo by J Pat Carter/AP

HIGHER EDUCATION REFORM: Salmon was big on lowering the cost of higher education and producing more university graduates. He spearheaded legislation to offer college credit for what students already know, not just the classes they take. Photo by Getty Images/TongRo Image Stock RF

OBAMACARE: Salmon campaigned on a promise to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and we was part of multiple House efforts to do so, even if those efforts were repeatedly quashed by the Senate and president. Photo by Jack Gruber, USATODAY

PRIVACY RIGHTS: Salmon rejected arguments justifying NSA spying, saying it was an invasion of privacy and an affront on constitutional rights. He introduced a bill to limit government’s ability to search without a warrant. Photo by AFP/Getty Images

BUCKING LEADERSHIP: His first term in Congress, Salmon helped lead a coup against House Speaker Newt Gingrich. This time around, he and the “tea party” influenced Freedom Caucus ousted Speaker John Boehner (pictured). Photo by Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

ARIZONA ADVOCACY: Before 2013, business leaders complained that our congressional delegation did too little to advocate for Arizona in Washington. Salmon reinstituted periodic meetings among the delegation and worked closely with Democrat Kyrsten Sinema on state economic issues. Photo by Michael Schennum/The Republic

GAY MARRIAGE: Salmon has publicly opposed same-sex marriage, voting to ban gay adoptions and to let states ban same-sex marriage. But his openly gay son told Politico last year that his father’s views have evolved. Salmon has not commented, saying via a spokesperson that it’s a personal matter. Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

GUNS: Salmon has long touted his support for gun rights and recently introduced a bill to remove silencers from the National Firearms Act, making them easier for civilians to obtain. The bill has picked up sponsors in recent weeks. Photo by Julie Jacobson/AP

TERM LIMITS: The congressman pledged in 1995 to serve three terms. He left office in 2001 but returned in 2013 – and that year proposed a bill to limit representatives to three terms and senators to two. Pundits lauded the idea, but it went nowhere. Photo by The Republic

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Even with Salmon's support, Biggs could face ample competition as other hopefuls see a rare open House seat that is safely Republican. The district covers parts of Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Queen Creek and Apache Junction.

Biggs plans to serve the remainder of his term at the Legislature, which could strengthen his appeal to voters on experience but will cut into time on the campaign trail. In 2012, Salmon won a comeback bid for Congress against Kirk Adams, then-leader of the state House.

From lobbyist to congressman who tried to oust House Speaker Gingrich

Salmon was a telecommunications lobbyist before starting his political career at the state Legislature in 1991. Three years later, he won a U.S. House seat as part of the Newt Gingrich-led Republican wave of 1994.

Salmon signed on to Gingrich’s conservative Contract with America, which outlined policy promises by Republican candidates, including term limits. Salmon was one of only a few who kept his pledge to step down after three terms.

In 2002, Salmon ran for governor, losing to Democrat Janet Napolitano in a close race. He went on to chair the Arizona Republican Party, returned to lobbying and in 2012 won back his old congressional seat.

Since returning to Washington, Salmon has gained a reputation for chastising leadership for not pushing back hard enough against Democrats. He helped form the rebellious Freedom Caucus and likes to recall his part in a failed 1997 coup against Gingrich, whom he and others at the time believed had retreated too far on conservative issues.

But Salmon has also crossed the aisle, promoting bipartisan meetings of Arizona's delegation and partnering on legislation with Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz.

"Arizona is fortunate to have such a remarkable congressional delegation," Salmon wrote in his op-ed. "In an era of intense ideological division throughout Washington, it is heartening to see both Democrats and Republicans working together for the betterment of Arizona."

Salmon, who doesn't have plans yet for future employment, said he will continue the "fight to protect our nation's future." But after the 2016 election, he said, he'll do it as a constituent.

U.S. Reps. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., and Matt Salmon, R-Ariz, speak at the East Valley Partnership in 2015.(Photo: Michael Schennum / The Republic)